Patrick Kane had two goals and an assist in the Blackhawks’ 5-3 win against the L.A. Kings Monday night, just hours after learning his beloved grandfather, Donald “Grandpa Kane-O” Kane, had passed away.

“Tough day overall,” Kane told reporters with tears welling up. “He was one of my great friends growing up, and [it’s] just a really sad day. It was important to get the win, but anytime you get someone taken away from you that’s so close, that means so much, it’s tough to hear that right before the game.”

“He lived next door to me my whole childhood. We’d do things like play cards and hang out by the pool throughout the summers,” Kane told NHL.com after the game. “He came to a lot of my hockey games, but more importantly for him, he was worried about grades and being a good kid. It was a tough day, for sure.”

As someone who grew up with grandparents right down the street, it was hard watching Kane swallow the lump in his throat for hist interview. It isn’t always easy to relate to professional athletes, but I soon saw my grandparents back at any of my sporting events, and reminisced eagerly handing over my report cards to my own grandpa–earning cash, but more importantly, smiles and hugs, for A’s. And, I thought of my youngest brother breaking my grandma’s bank with $5 per goal during an undefeated Bantam year.

As tears welled up in my own eyes, I was grateful the reporters brought the focus back on the game. And, what a game it was.

Kane, like many athletes, seemed to fuel the sorrow into an inspirational performance in the arena.

Just 1:02 into the first period, he gave the Blackhawks the lead with a Power Play wrist shot, assisted by Captain Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.

“To see the little guy, the way he performed… hats off to him. He put it out there,” Bryan Bickell said of Kane’s performance.

Bickell’s performance was significant as well. He scored about seven minutes later (a slapshot off a feed from Kane), breaking a bit of a slump that’s left him a healthy scratch and earned recent criticism. It was Bickell’s 100th career point.

“He didn’t get a ton of minutes but it was progress,” Coach Joel Quenneville told Comcast Sportsnet about Bickell Tuesday. “We expect him to continue to get confidence, get some predictability in his game. He did some good things last night, and it was nice to see.”

The Kings’ Drew Doughty scored on a power play while Andrew Shaw (1 assist) served a roughing penalty about halfway through the first.

Anze Kopitar then tied the game 6:30 into the second.

The next three goals came from a dominating Chicago team.

Marcus Kruger tipped a goal in (assists by Nick Leddy, Ben Smith) at 13:52 in the second, giving the lead back to the Hawks.

Four minutes later, Kane tallied his second goal of the night, with a tip-in fed by Toews and Sharp.

Though Tyler Toffoli was able to respond in just 30 seconds with a wrist shot goal (assists by Kopitar, Jeff Carter), the Hawks were able to hold the Kings for the remainder of the game, giving Kane, Bickell, Corey Crawford, and the rest of the crew a much-needed victory.

The Kings took 41/63 face-offs and were 36-10 with hits. Quick made 25 saves, while Crawford made 31.

Tonight, the Western Conference leading Blackhawks take on the Pacific Conference-leading Ducks. They close their six-game road trip (so far 2-0-2) in Phoenix Friday before the Olympic break.

Carly Mullady grew up needing to know more about icing than its deliciousness on cupcakes. She's the lone daughter of four children, with a father who was among the last cut from the Midwest tryouts for the 1980 Miracle on Ice Olympic team. And she knows very little matches the thrill that happens from puck-drop to handshakes.
A rink didn’t return to her hometown until she was gone, but she’s been able to see two younger brothers on the ice. She's their feistiest fan.
Her other hockey loyalty lies with the Blackhawks--whether it's meant seeing games for $8 with student IDs when the Madhouse didn’t have much of a temper at all, or dancing to Chelsea Dagger at standing room only--there’s something magical about a roaring anthem, the Indianhead sweater, and the Original Six.
A former journalist and current editor, she carries a penchant for excitement (and maybe even fighting) with a resume that includes working for Chicago-area newspapers, and television, including The Jerry Springer Show, as well as NBCUniversal in New York.
After East Coast living and a return to the Chicago area, the new Mrs. is giving Graceland a go with her Southern Gent, who now shares her adoration of the game, and their rescue dog, Doc Holliday.
Other interests include Cubs, Bears, Illini, Crimson Tide, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, baking a mean pineapple upside-down cake, Kate Spade accessories, and a properly coordinated cardigan for every ensemble.